Commerce awards $5.6 million for vital community facility and infrastructure projects in five rural counties

Commerce awards $5.6 million for vital community facility and infrastructure projects in five rural counties

Port Townsend early learning and family support center among high-priority local projects awarded Community Development Block Grants. OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce announced that five cities and counties will receive a total of $5.6 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). The CDBG program funds a wide range of local projects, including public water, sewer, emergency and fire protection systems, streets, housing, food pantries and more.…

Washington State Public Works Board approves over $220 million in construction loans

Washington State Public Works Board approves over $220 million in construction loans

Broadway Bridge replacement in Conconully and Tacoma’s Links to Opportunity streetscape among the community infrastructure projects awarded funding statewide OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Public Works Board approved over $220 million in funding for local community infrastructure projects at its Friday, Sept. 8 meeting. Awards from the Board’s traditional construction program will support vital public infrastructure across six different systems: streets and roads, bridges, domestic water, stormwater, sanitary sewers, and solid…

State grants fund digital navigation services to help new internet users get online

State grants fund digital navigation services to help new internet users get online

Washington State Broadband Office awards $14.5 million to provide one-on-one technical support, devices, and subscriptions to facilitate internet use and adoption OLYMPIA, WA — Most of us take the internet for granted, yet nearly 240,000 Washington households do not have access to high-speed internet, and 4% do not have access to a computing device. This week the Washington State Department of Commerce announced $14.5 million in grants to continue expanding…

US Dept. of Energy awards Washington $23.4 million to strengthen and modernize critical electric infrastructure

US Dept. of Energy awards Washington $23.4 million to strengthen and modernize critical electric infrastructure

OLYMPIA, WA  – On Sept. 5, 2023, Washington state received a $23.4 million Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to modernize the electric grid and reduce impacts due to extreme weather and natural disasters. Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants aim to ensure the reliability of power sector infrastructure so that communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity. “Electricity is…

Commerce awards $15.4 million in grants to expand legal aid to low-income immigrants

Commerce awards $15.4 million in grants to expand legal aid to low-income immigrants

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project among organizations receiving funding to provide legal aid in communities across Washington state  OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded $15.4 million in grants to eight organizations across the state, expanding access to legal aid services for low-income immigrants. The 2023-25 appropriation from the Washington Legislature enables nearly a doubling of previous annual funding levels. “Everyone deserves to be safe, remain together…

New Commerce program aims to incentivize equitable access to credit for small businesses

New Commerce program aims to incentivize equitable access to credit for small businesses

Contributions in exchange for tax credits will fund grants to eligible lending institutions to provide services and investment capital for small businesses lacking access to traditional bank loans.  OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has launched a new program to address inequities in accessing capital for small businesses. The Equitable Access to Credit Program, created by the state legislature (HB 1015), creates a new funding mechanism to…

Washington Public Works Board approves $4.37 million for eight critical infrastructure projects

Washington Public Works Board approves $4.37 million for eight critical infrastructure projects

Funding will support pre-construction activities in Benton, Clark, Douglas, King, Kitsap, Okanogan and Walla Walla Counties. OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Public Works Board last Friday approved $4.37 million for pre-construction projects in eight Washington communities. The awards support roads and streets, domestic water, sanitary sewer, and solid waste, recycling and organics infrastructure. The Board considered eight pre-construction applications from local jurisdictions seeking a total of $4,368,630, all of which…

Commerce provides $79 million in relief to hospitality sector businesses impacted by pandemic

Commerce provides $79 million in relief to hospitality sector businesses impacted by pandemic

Nearly 1,500 businesses across the state still struggling with pandemic recovery receive grants to cover losses OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has distributed $79 million in grants to 1,493 hospitality sector businesses impacted by the pandemic. Authorized by the Washington Legislature in 2022 (ESSB 5693), funding provided through the Washington Hospitality Grant program is assisting businesses across the state with much needed relief right in time…

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests more than $4.5 million in three counties

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests more than $4.5 million in three counties

State funds leverage nearly $11 million in private and public resources expected to create and retain 100 high-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $3.375 million in low-interest loans and $1.175 million in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur business growth and job creation in Thurston, Skagit, and Whitman counties. Thurston County – $1.125 million loan and…

Keeping summer traditions alive: Commerce, ArtsWA award over $3 million to support, restart community festivals and events

Keeping summer traditions alive: Commerce, ArtsWA award over $3 million to support, restart community festivals and events

The shows will go on across the state as 200 organizations in 36 counties receive much-needed pandemic relief grants OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Washington Festivals and Events Association (WFEA) and ArtsWA, has awarded over $3 million in grants to 200 community events and festivals that either had to suspend operations or restart due to the pandemic. The qualifying grantees reported a total…